Hi there, its B&H: A 360 Degree Adventure

This post is long overdue since this excursion happened a little over a week ago but I thought I’d share how amazing our adventure was around the island. I am a planner. I like to plan out my trips months ahead of time (something to look forward too right?), I never leave the house without my planner, and I know exactly what lies ahead in every activity but this was far from my usual planned out trips. Britton and Chris only had a week and a half before school started so we talked about going around the island but we had no idea how and when. On Friday morning at 10:30am we still had no idea what we were doing but by 11:00am, with only 5 minutes, we packed our bags for a trip we have no idea how long it’d take. We borrowed a car from the Lin family and we were on our way. It was seriously so spontaneous. We got directions on the road, borrowed some camping stuff from a member, and we were driving east still not knowing where we’d sleep or ever go for that matter.

But it all worked out and it was seriously a blast. We started our 4-day-trip hiking the Taroka Gorge. It was beautiful with the most refreshing water. Although there were signs clearly stating that no swimming was allowed, that didn’t stop the boys. We sneakily hiked down to the water and the rest was history. The best part was the Taiwanese would stop and take pictures below of us swimming. They probably thought we were crazy Americans. I don’t blame em’. Also, something worth mentioning was on the hike I saw the biggest snake ever! It was seriously freaky. We avoided it though but I was still keeping my eye out for it.

That night we hit up the hot springs in Rei Shuie and camped Taiwanese style. They don’t camp on the ground but instead in little huts that have electricity. Not too shabby. What came to be the craziest part of the trip was that night in the camp ground. As we were about to go to sleep, the police showed up on the campgrounds. Not only did we not pay because we got there after the place closed but we were driving without an international license. Can you say jail? Well maybe…As the police went from tent to tent checking to make sure everyone paid, we all laid there, stiff as a board, pretending to be asleep. It was no surprise that Britton and Chris actually did fall asleep while Tori and I were wide-awake trying to look as natural as possible. Luckily, the police skipped our tent while us girls laid awake for well over an hour. Let’s just say it wasn’t the best night of sleep.

Next day we were on our way to Kenting (A city on the most southern tip of Taiwan that is not only the most beautiful part of the island but the most “beachy”). We enjoyed quick stops in small little towns with the cutest little mei mei’s ever (That’s what they call little girls, translated as ‘little sister’) and the beauty of the landscape. We got lost a few times but it finally got to Kenting. We found a very clean hostel and went to the beach. It was fun despite the fact that I got nailed a few times by their huge waves but it was worth it. We went to the night market that night and headed back the next day on the west coast.